RV6 Performance finally got their new j-pipes in and I had it installed today!

The car
2013 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT with about 22k miles. No other engine mods.

This J-Pipe is their new design made for better clearance, so I guess it's the RV6 V2.5? The quality of the J-Pipe is amazing, the fitment is decent, had to muscle it a bit to get it to fit, this is to be expected.

The sound is a bit deeper and you could definitely feel a power gain throughout the powerband, but more so after 4k RPM. Very happy with the results and craftsmanship of the J-pipe.

As some of you may know, the 2012-2014 4G TL has a cross brace, the J-Pipe did not touch the cross brace and I don't think the spacers were needed, but I had them installed anyway. Pictures to show the clearance before and after the spacers are below.

Pictures!
Side by side before install



Before install


After install

After install before cross brace


Before spacers

After spacers


Random close ups of the J-Pipe




Here is a sound clip of before and after the J-Pipe. My exhaust is stock with the exception of the quad tips. As you can hear, the RV6 J-Pipe makes the exhaust tone a bit deeper. While driving you can hear the difference, it sounds freakin awesome


Thanks for reading!

 

Fantastic review, thanks for the pictures and video.

 

Awesome review!

Here is a tip for installing jpipes with solid runners. Loosen the front precat from the head before trying to get the jpipe over the studs. This will give you some wiggle room. With the extra slack built into the precats mounting hole from factory. Precat studs can shifted side to side ~3/8" making install difficult.

 

I would also like to note, I called Rich for some install tips, he answered and was extremely helpful! Customer service is A+!

 

The RV6 j pipe is a nice addition,enjoy it.

 

If and when I get money, this will be on the list of mods I want to add to my car.

 

Did it add any drone or vibrations to the car?

 

Nice man, this will be my next mod next year.

 

No drone or vibrations.

 

I have asked this a few times so here goes again.

The RV6 j pipe has a 3 inch collector whereas the XLR8 has a 2.75 inch.

How does this effect the power delivery of each pipe? I feel for FI, the RV6 is the way to go.
However for NA, the 3 inch might be overkill and sap throttle response.

Any thoughts? I have the XLR8 V2 and putting the icebox on next week.

 

So the AWD TL exhaust system is pretty wacky. The stock primaries merge into a 2.5" collector and connect to the 3rd cat which has a 2.5" inlet and 3" outlet to exhaust.

The inlet of the AWD TL exhaust is 3" I have no idea why XLR8 would go with a 2.75" outlet on their V2 jpipe. They even advertise their exhaust to have a 3" inlet. You should double check with Josh it might be a typo.

However I really doubt outlet diameter makes that much of a difference. We did a bunch of dyno test years back and found that longer primaries make more low end power. Essentially shifting the powerband earlier in the revs where people do most of their daily driving. That is why we maximize runner length in all our jpipe design. This usually means deleting the 3rd cat to get every extra inch of runner length.

 

I see there's also no hanger used for the rv6, as there was for the stock, I believe that's due to the rv6 not being as heavy or moving after bolt due to non cat?

 

The 1st Gen RV6 jpipes had the hanger and the entire unit was polished to a mirror finish.The hanger was also a bit too low and it put significant strain on the rubber bushing which would eventually break.At least mine did,in order to prevent that from happening again,i added some spacers between the body and the metal hook on the car.

Richie had mentioned sometime back that he noticed no difference if the hanger was present or not and it does not affect the j pipe in any way.

 

One of these J-pipes will be the first addition to my [upcoming] TL. I like the decent power increase without the 'scare your neighbors' aspect, since I will be living in an apartment for some time to come.

 

Since the Jpipe has longer runners the portion of the Jpipe that was supported by the hanger is now solid and supported by the Jpipe. We found the hanger to be unnecessary. The first batch of jpipe with hangers simply tore since the hanger wasn't isolated by the flexpipe.

 

This is a good mod for you then, after a week of driving, there is a deeper exhaust tone but not overly loud, it's mainly noticeable while driving. As far as hp gains, I feel it. Hopefully someone can get an accurate dyno so we have some real numbers.

 

OP - Do you have Dyno power gains you can share? Also, will these fit properly on a 2013 TL FWD?

 

No dynos. This will not fit the FWD, only AWD. I believe the ATLP makes a jpipe for the FWD.

 

If I remember correctly the FWD TL V2 j-pipe has a 2.75" outlet but the the AWD TL V2 j-pipe has a 3" outlet. I'll check and update our listing if it's off.

 

Hi Richie,
What are the specs of the spacers you provide with the J pipe if you wouldn't mind quoting that?

thanks

 

Around 1/2"

 

Looks great-nice job.

 

Given this question has arisen again on another thread, what is the answer here? Shouldn't the XLR8 V2 J Pipe be a 3" outlet?

 

It was also answered in another thread...

The answer was that the power/gains are not from the collector/outlet size and more from everything in front of it.

 

I understand that. But you think RV6 is just wasting material making his outlet 3" for no good reason? I am just curious what the actual spec is as I didn't measure mine.

For what it's worth, I love my XLR8 V2 J Pipe. I had that and an icebox on the car within a few months of buying the car.

Next is PCD or HFPC + K tuner.

I just can't decide on PCD or HFPC. I don't want rasp. My exhaust is stock.

 

The dyno test on the Accord forums showed very little gain with the PCD's over the HFPC's. If you are at all worried about rasp, emissions or vehicle inspections, I would recommend forgoing the extra 1-2hp and getting the HFPC's.

Dyno results: RV6 PCD's vs. RV6 HFPC. - Drive Accord Honda Forums

 

That was a very interesting read. Went through all 5 pages. PCD keeping the stock J-pipe and a tekeda giving 29HP wow. Not bad.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/perform.../#post15345169

I went through each of them, if you read from there onwards you can see the responses. I personally think it's odd one manufacturer would have a 2.5" and make a 3" exhaust - but whatever.

I'm planning on going the RV6 PCD or HFPC + RV6 J-Pipe + XLR8 Round exhaust. That should flow pretty nicely I'd imagine and keeps 3" the whole way.

I'm with you though, I'm thinking to steer clear of rasp I'm going HFPC.

 

I've "heard" that the HFPC cats can fail prematurely.

That is the only concern I have with that option. I trust RV6, but I'm not sure the magnaflow cats (if that's what they are) will last a few years.

Is this fear unfounded? I will call RV6 to ask.

 

The Magnaflow cats have a lifetime warranty against failure, it's also noted by RV6 on their website I think. I don't know how that all fits in with RV6 though. Obviously the entire assembly would need to be replaced when only a portion of it is covered under that warranty.

 

Had the HFPC for around 14K KMS, low mileage no doubt but no issues so far.

I have read somewhere about a set failing but no mention of how long or mileage on them.

Gains between HFPC and PCD's are minimal at best, my preference would be to stick with the HFPC in the event they end up failing at some point.

 

Very nice! What tips are those that you welded on and where did you get them?

 

Stainless Steel Dual Exhaust Tips 4 0 2 5 Acura 04 08 TLS 09 11 TL 12 14 TL | eBay